Iga Swiatek has claimed the recent exhibition clash between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka was not needed, revealing she chose not to tune in to the Dubai spectacle.
The Polish star, currently ranked second in the world, offered a blunt assessment of the much-hyped encounter when speaking to journalists at the United Cup in Australia.
Speaking on the game, Swiatek said: "I haven't watched [Sabalenka v Kyrgios] because I don't watch stuff like that."
While acknowledging the match drew significant public interest, she characterised it purely as entertainment rather than anything meaningful.
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She added: "I wouldn't say that had anything to do with social change or any important topics."
Swiatek drew a clear distinction between the Dubai event and the historic 1973 contest where Billie Jean King faced Bobby Riggs, which proved pivotal in the fight for equal recognition and pay in women's tennis.
She explained: "I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in '73. That's it."
The five-time Grand Slam champion insisted the women's game has progressed far beyond the need for such comparisons.
Iga Swiatek has claimed the recent exhibition clash between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka was not needed
|PA
Swiatek said: "I feel like women's tennis stands on its own right now. We have so many great athletes and great stories to present, we don't necessarily need to compare to men's tennis."
The 23-year-old pointed to the United Cup as a far more effective model for bringing both tours together.
She said: "Events like this one, United Cup, brings tennis together, and WTA fans and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement."
The tournament format sees each tie comprise a men's singles, women's singles and mixed doubles rubber.
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Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios have expressed bewilderment at the wave of criticism directed towards the event
| REUTERSSwiatek highlighted how the competition gives top players rare opportunities to compete alongside one another.
She added: "Seeing also singles players that usually don't have space to play mixed doubles together, playing these kinds of matches, I think this is actually what makes our sport much more interesting and better."
The United Cup commenced in Australia on Friday, with nations competing across multiple host cities.
Emma Raducanu and Billy Harris will represent Great Britain at the tournament.
Aryna Sabalenka lost in straight sets to Nick Kyrgios | PAThe pair are set to face Japan in Perth on Sunday.
Swiatek, who is competing for Poland, expressed her enthusiasm for the team format.
She noted it provides a welcome variety from the regular tour schedule.
The Wimbledon champion said: "We get so many normal tournaments on tour that, honestly, it gets boring sometimes, so playing a team event, having that different energy and being able to talk to different people, I think is great and really refreshing."
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